TRAVEL - KOREA

“Why are your eyes blue? - Korean 3 yr old at Spa”

Korea! Korea! All I can say is, if you live/d in Los Angeles, I hope you've dipped yourself into a Mugworts Tea Bath at Olympic Spa... This first time soaking at the Korean day spa, nude alongside other self-caring women sent me pondering. What is it about these Koreans? Why do they win at softness and smoothnessity? A deep yet superficial seed of admiration for the Korean way began beneath the purifying waves. THEN! FINALLY! I made a Korean friend, well she is Canadian Korean and at the time I'd met her she hadn't been to a Korea Spa in her adult life due to fear of public nudity (can't relate). ANYWAYS...She was living in Seoul for School and I had to visit her because of A) Friendship but A.2) Spas and B) Korean Food AMIRIGHT? C) Friendship.

Like my other travel experiences this trip was made possible by a free place to stay so I do not have hotel recommendations. I also used miles aka a victory. That being said, I will share some of the things we did that you might want to do too. Mostly, this Spa (which we returned to more than once):

1. SPA LEI

WOMEN ONLY! Something like 4 or 5 floors of spa heaven. You can even sleep there! I would've if I packed super light and didn't have a place to live. We played cards, we did masks, we got scrubs (way cheaper than Olympic Spa - no offense Olympic Spa it's just this was in Korea), we ate delicious food, we laughed, we cried (my friend - from the cold pool).

2. Busan

Take a train to Busan, which coincidently is a title of this Korean Disaster Film. Located in the south eastern corner of the country and with their fast AF light rails you can get there in no time from Seoul. We stayed in a cute little Air BnB and explored the city and there are actual travel bloggers who can tell you what to do. But it was fun, I'd go. We went in the winter which is silly because it's a summer town but it was much less crowded.

3. Take traditional Korean Hanbok Photos

We went here. AND. I know what you're thinking. Well, I'm not positive, but, if it has something to do with cultural appropriation, you are wrong. This is as simple as going to a western costume photo shop at Knotts Berry Farm. Maybe not, but you can educate me later. Point is I've made 6 custom card decks from this photo, framed it on my desk, and engrained my narcissism into the hearts of my friends and family. I pray for forgiveness on that final day. Even though my friend was embarrassed the whole time, I was having a BAH-LAST. It cost about $40-$80 for dress, makeup, hair, and photo. For me, the joke, was worth every Won ($).